Leading the Dance of Change: Harnessing Acceptance and Intention in Leadership and Public Speaking

We live in a world of perpetual flux, where the only constant is change. In our relentless pursuit of stability, we can become frustrated, exhausted, and overwhelmed.

However, in the face of this challenge lies an incredible opportunity – particularly in the world of public speaking – to embrace the power of acceptance.

Last month at my 3-day Leader Speaker Retreat

A dynamic group of senior leaders explored the art of effective communication. Three days of complete immersion into the art and craft of public speaking. We explored their unique presence and what it means to communicate with impact.

In a public speaking context, we seek to create a sense of stability, yet, like time (and life), speaking or presenting is ever-changing. The present moment is never the same. The present moment-to-moment newness we must possess when speaking, is a metaphor for life.

One of the comments made by the delegates at the end of the three days when we were reflecting on what they might take away from their experience was enlightening: "I found these three days extraordinarily challenging. I've realised I gave myself permission to engage an audience in ways I'd never seen myself do before."

What struck me was this delegate's openness to change. She had expressed that she needed help understanding and getting to grips with what she could improve upon before coming on the retreat. And yet she noticed the significance of her willingness to embrace alternative ways of communicating with her presence.

At the heart of her change lies a simple but important framework

Over two decades, I've designed and developed a number of frameworks to help people master the art (not just the skills) of public speaking. One such framework claims that our actions are preceded by certain behaviours, our feelings by our thoughts, and our thoughts by an intention. When we connect with, and tap into, this 'intentional energy' - our presence - our impact can be immensely amplified.

The potential of harnessing this energy goes beyond public speaking. In our approach to personal and professional life, it can inform the actions we take (or fail to take). For businesses, understanding and aligning with the intentions (our 'why') behind the vision helps to build a solid mission and meaningful impact on customers and communities.

Many of us yearn for permanence in an ever-changing world

And with this desire comes fatigue. In a one-to-one coaching session, a client expressed their solemn resignation of never-ending progress. But it's not change that exhausts us, but our resistance towards it?

This leads to an essential question: how do we find resilience? The answer may lie in a single word: acceptance. This should not be confused with resignation; rather, it's a conscious choice to welcome the present moment and imbue it with a deep understanding of its impermanence. We must be willing to act, think, feel, and listen as each situation arises. And we must certainly accept, that our level of resilience is subject to change.

Acceptance lets us let go of our desire to control how we work with each encounter. It gives us the power to lean into transforming change into an advantage, and to use it to fuel our growth. It reveals a deeper, more authentic presence within ourselves and enables us to speak with greater purpose and poise.

In a business context...

Understanding our missions' 'why' helps manage change more effectively. By seeing recalcitrant situations as opportunities to grow, we gain an invaluable ability to lead our teams and make a positive impact both within and outside the organisation.

The concept of embracing change is not new, but it allows us to divorce ourselves from living in a permanent state of fear and stress. It encourages us to nurture resilience from the inside out, empowering us to move through life with an open mind and open heart.

And ultimately, it allows us to step boldly into each moment and lead the dance.